Specifically, five central pro-government Uzbek newspapers on 17 February published articles that praise the government’s efforts to ensure food security in the country at a time when many countries are affected by the global financial crisis.

The Khalq Sozi newspaper’s article says that there are lots of cheap agricultural products in Uzbek markets. "Today, the global financial crisis, which began in 2008, is seriously affecting the economies of many countries in the world...This cannot but affect Uzbekistan as well...but the most important thing is that there is abundance and prices remain low in our country, while shortages of some foodstuffs and food price hikes are being observed in developed and developing countries," the article says.

It also quotes some customers at a Tashkent market as praising "low prices" for agricultural products. The article is also accompanied by a large colourful photo of agricultural products sold at market.

The Inson va Qonun newspaper’s article praises "the abundance of food products and order at Uzbek markets", while many countries are facing price hikes due to the global financial crisis. This report also carries large colourful photos of various foodstuffs sold at market.

Moreover, the Ozbekiston Ovozi and Qishloq Hayoti newspapers published one article also praising the government efforts to keep food prices stable, while many other countries in the region are facing hikes in food prices amid the global financial crisis.

The article quotes Zafar Fayziyev, the chairman of the Ozulgurjisavdoinvest (Uzbek wholesale trade invest) association, as saying that: "In order to keep prices at domestic markets stable, our association plans to sell at low prices 80,000 tonnes of food products in March, the same amount in April; and 68 tonnes of food products in May in 2009. In general, there are enough supplies of vegetable oil, rice, sugar and other essential foodstuffs as well as agricultural products to provide the country’s people in 2009."

The article entitled: "Prices are decreasing, well-being is increasing" published by the Pravda Vostoka newspaper also says that food prices remain stable in the country, and there are lots of various food products on Uzbek markets.

"Despite the unfolding global financial and economic crisis, food prices are quite affordable and even lower than prices in 2008," the article says.